Maribel Martinez

Fatherhood today looks different than it did decades ago. Studies from the Pew Research Center  and numerous other organizations show that fathers are becoming more actively engaged in their children’s lives, with dads spending significantly more time in caregiving and household activities than previous generations did. This shift reflects a broader cultural recognition of the vital role fathers play not just financially, but emotionally and developmentally in their children’s lives. In...

Pregnancy, birth, and raising a baby can be a joyous experience... but it can also be overwhelming. From navigating prenatal care to figuring out feeding schedules and sleep routines, the transition into parenthood comes with plenty of questions and challenges. The good news is you don’t have to face them alone.  Healthy Start Coalition of Okeechobee’s Home Visit Program  offers compassionate, one-on-one support to parents and caregivers from pregnancy through a child’s third birthday,...

Did you know the price of diapers has reportedly risen 48% since the COVID-19 pandemic? The drastic increase is a heavy burden for families with babies and toddlers, costing parents as much as $1,000 per child per year, according to a report by the National Diaper Bank Network (NDBN) . The issue becomes even more urgent when you consider the consequences of not having a steady supply of diapers at home: The NDBN cites unaffordability of diapers as a potential barrier to essential early...